Celtic’s Development Squad are in action tonight, taking on Albion Rovers in the Jock Stein Friendship Cup at Cliftonhill, kick off 7.30pm.
Tommy McIntyre’s side made a big impression in last week’s 5-1 Irn Bru Cup win over Annan Athletic with tonight’s match providing ideal preparation for the second round tie away to Cowdenbeath.
With Joe Thomson joining Jamie Lindsay and Fiacre Kelleher out on loan it gives younger players an opportunity to step up although the experience of Jamie McCart and Aidan Nesbitt will be valuable.
In attack McIntyre has plenty of options with PJ Crossan joining Jack Aitchison and Calvin Miller on the goal trail.
Aitchison and Crossan were on the scoresheet against Annan while Miller turned provider with a number of assists as he moved over to a wide role.
On paper League One Rovers should provide a tougher test than Cowdenbeath but nothing will be left to chance as Celtic make the most of playing in the Irn Bru Cup for the first time ever.
At the weekend Rovers, managed by Darren Young, enjoyed a 2-2 draw away to East Fife on the back of a Betfred Cup win on penalties away to Kilmarnock.
In contrast Cowdenbeath, on the back of successive relegations, lost their opening League Two match at home to Elgin City on the back of four successive defeats in the Betfred Cup.
In the SPFL Celtic kick off their defence of the title with a trip to Kilmarnock scheduled for August 20 before hosting St Johnstone at Cappielow the following week.
On Sunday Celtic’s u-17 side start their league campaign away to St Mirren at their Ralston training complex, kick off 2pm.
The trip to Coatbridge brings about a resumption of the Jock Stein Cup after a six year break with Celtic winning the last match between the teams on penalties with the following team:
CELTIC: 2010 Feely (Thomson 60); O’Donnell, Gallagher, Hughes (Jones 64) , Brennan; Bagshaw, F Twardzik (Chalmers 85); Ordish (Feruz 45) , Keatings (Irvine 78), McGgregor; Gormley (Atajic 51)
CLICK HERE for Brendan’s Dream XI.
